Minimally invasive applicator for intraoperative radiotherapy

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for delivering any of a plurality of predetermined radiation fields to a target in intraoperative radiotherapy. In a variant, the applicator comprises: a panel and at least one first pair of first and second grippers pivotally connected to the panel with each gripper having loop on an end. The loop is connected to an arm and the arm pivotally attached to the panel. The first and second grippers are configured to rotate in opposite directions to form an open position and come to a stopping point. The loops of the grippers are configured to slide under one another while rotating into a retracted configuration. Two end units are disposed on opposite ends of the panel, configured for being grasped by two independent graspers for fixing the applicator in position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An applicator for delivering any of a plurality of predetermined radiation fields to a target in intraoperative radiotherapy, the applicator comprising:
 a panel; 
 at least one first pair of first and second grippers pivotally connected to the panel, each gripper having a loop on an end configured to receive a catheter, the loop connected to an arm and the arm pivotally attached to the panel, wherein the first and second grippers are configured to rotate in opposite directions to form an open position and come to a stopping point, and wherein the loops of the grippers are configured to slide under one another while rotating into a retracted configuration; 
 two end units disposed on opposite ends of the panel, configured for being grasped by two independent graspers for fixing the applicator in position; and 
 a second pair of grippers pivotally connected to an opposing side of the panel relative the first pair of grippers, each gripper having a loop on an end, the loop connected to an arm and the arm pivotally attached to the panel, wherein the first and second grippers are configured to rotate in opposite directions from an open position and come to a stopping point, and wherein the loops of the grippers are configured to slide under one another when in a retracted configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the two end units are spherical. 
     
     
       3. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein each pair of grippers is joined to the panel by a respective peg that is connected to a spring mechanism, wherein the spring mechanism is configured such that when wound, grippers of the first and second pairs are pulled toward the spring mechanism and retracted onto the surface of the panel, and wherein when the spring mechanism is released, the grippers of each pair are rotated about their respective pegs into an open configuration. 
     
     
       4. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein each pair of grippers is connected to a single spring mechanism. 
     
     
       5. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises through holes for receiving radiation sources, that align with the loops of the gripper of each pair when retracted. 
     
     
       6. An applicator for delivering any of a plurality of predetermined radiation fields to a target in intraoperative radiotherapy, the applicator comprising:
 a panel; 
 at least one first pair of first and second grippers pivotally connected to the panel, each gripper having a loop on an end configured to receive a catheter, the loop connected to an arm and the arm pivotally attached to the panel, wherein the first and second grippers are configured to rotate in opposite directions to form an open position and come to a stopping point, and wherein the loops of the grippers are configured to slide under one another while rotating into a retracted configuration; 
 two end units disposed on opposite ends of the panel, configured for being grasped by two independent graspers for fixing the applicator in position; 
 wherein grippers of the at least one first pair are joined to the panel by a peg that is connected to a spring mechanism, wherein the spring mechanism is configured such that when wound, the grippers of the at least one first pair are pulled toward the spring mechanism and retracted onto the surface of the panel, and wherein when the spring mechanism is released, the grippers of the at least one first pair are rotated about their peg into an open configuration. 
 
     
     
       7. The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the two end units are spherical. 
     
     
       8. The applicator of  claim 6 , further comprising a second pair of grippers pivotally connected to an opposite side of the panel relative to the first pair of grippers, each gripper having a loop on an end, the loop connected to an arm and the arm pivotally attached to the panel, wherein the first and second grippers are configured to rotate in opposite directions from an open position and come to a stopping point, and wherein the loops of the grippers are configured to slide under one another when in a retracted configuration. 
     
     
       9. The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein each pair of grippers is connected to a single spring mechanism. 
     
     
       10. The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the panel comprises at least one through holes for receiving a radiation source, that aligns with the loops of the grippers of the at least one pair when retracted.